Unlocking the health benefits and risks of ground cherries
The ground cherry is a plant with a distinctive appearance, resembling small, orange berries or miniature tomatoes hidden inside a delicate, papery husk. It offers a wide range of nutritional benefits worth pursuing. However, it is not without its drawbacks.
16 October 2024 09:32
Looking for vitamins? You'll find them in the ground cherry. Among the nutrients of this fruit, vitamins such as vitamin A, which is important for eye health, and vitamin C, which supports the immune system and protects cells from oxidative stress, stand out.
No shortage of vitamins here
Ground cherry also contains B vitamins (B1, B2, B3), essential for properly functioning the nervous system and involved in the body's metabolic processes. The fruit also positively affects proper digestion.
Additionally, ground cherry enriches the diet with minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus, as well as carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These powerful antioxidants protect the body from free radicals. Thus, ground cherry contributes to delaying the aging process.
Where to use the ground cherry?
Ground cherry is widely used in the kitchen. It can be consumed raw or added to a variety of dishes like salads, desserts, and smoothies. Therefore, it is an exceptionally versatile fruit. With its unique sweet and sour taste, ground cherry introduces new culinary experiences to many dishes.
Ground cherry is also great for drying and cooking, opening culinary possibilities such as preparing soups, sauces, or cakes. It is often an ingredient in jams and marmalades. Ground cherry can also serve a decorative function.
Solanine - a natural compound that can harm
However, it's worth remembering the presence of solanine—a natural chemical compound that ground cherries share with potatoes and eggplants. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that plants have developed to defend against pests.
You can find it in various parts of the ground cherry, especially in the leaves and ripe fruits. Consuming a large amount of raw ground cherry may result in poisoning, manifesting in symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and, in extreme cases, coma.
For this reason, it is important to remember that we should only consume ripe ground cherry fruits. However, if they are unavailable, subjecting them to thermal processing is advisable.
Ground cherry remains a valuable addition to a healthy diet in small amounts. However, its use should be judicious.
